What Age Group Has the Most Accidents?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teen drivers between 16 and 19 have the highest rate of motor vehicle crashes among all age groups. This group of young drivers experiences a fatal crash rate almost three times higher per mile driven than drivers 20 and older. Here’s what you need to know about the significant risks associated with teenage drivers.
Which Teens Are Higher Risk?
Certain groups of teenage drivers are at an exceptionally high risk for car accidents. CDC data suggests males are especially vulnerable. In one recent year, the crash-related death rate for male drivers aged 16 to 19 was three times higher than that for female drivers in the same age group.
Teens who drive with other young passengers in the car are also more likely to get into car crashes. Each additional teen or young adult passenger in the vehicle with a teen driver further increases the risk.
Lastly, newly licensed teens also show a heightened risk of accidents. In the first few months after getting their driver’s licenses, 16-year-olds have a per-mile crash rate about 1.5 times higher than that of 18- and 19-year-old drivers.
What Are the Main Reasons Teenage Drivers Cause the Most Car Accidents?
Several key factors contribute to why teenage drivers are likelier to be involved in car accidents.
Lack of Experience
Limited experience behind the wheel means teen drivers may underestimate or fail to recognize dangerous traffic conditions. They are more likely to commit critical errors that lead to serious crashes than older drivers, especially when driving at night. The fatal crash rate for driving at night among teens between 16 and 19 is about three times as high as it is for adults between 30 and 59.
Distracted Driving
Distractions significantly impair driving abilities, especially for teenage drivers. In one recent year, 39 percent of U.S. high school students who drove admitted to texting or emailing while behind the wheel at least once in the past 30 days. Such distractions significantly increase the likelihood of a teen driving accident.
Speeding and Recklessness
Teen drivers are more likely to be risk-takers. Getting a license means independence. Unfortunately, it can also mean driving dangerously. Speeding is a typical teen traffic violation. These risky behaviors are particularly pronounced when male teenage passengers are in the car. In one year, 35 percent of male teen drivers and 18 percent of female teen drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the accident.
Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol consumption significantly raises the risk of car accidents for teen drivers, even at blood alcohol concentrations that are below the legal limit for adults. Drinking is illegal for drivers under 21 in all U.S. states, but 5.4 percent of high school students reported driving after drinking alcohol in a recent survey. In addition, 16.7 percent reported riding with a teen driver who had been drinking. In a separate study, about 13 percent of teen drivers admitted to driving after using marijuana.
How Often Do Teenage Car Accidents Happen?
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among U.S. teenagers. Statistics show about 2,800 teens aged 13 to 19 died and approximately 227,000 others suffered injuries in car accidents. This translates to about eight teen deaths and over 600 teen injuries every day. The financial impact is also staggering, with teen accident fatalities costing about $40.7 billion in medical expenses and loss of life value annually.
Arizona law allows injured victims and their families to seek compensation for their losses after a collision. An Arizona car accident lawyer can help you understand your options if a teen driver hits you.
What Age Group Has the Least Accidents?
Contrary to what many believe, drivers aged 65 and older have the least amount of car crashes compared to other age groups. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes some factors associated with aging may actually prevent auto accidents. For example, older drivers are less likely to speed and drive while impaired. They are also more likely to wear seat belts and limit their driving settings to familiar and nearby areas. These differences can be protective but don’t eliminate the risk of motor vehicle accidents.
Interpreting the data is complicated because the population of older drivers grew 35 percent over the last two decades, partly due to Baby Boomers reaching retirement age. People are also living longer than ever and in better health, keeping them on the roads longer. While it may appear there has been an increase in crashes involving older drivers on statistical charts, NHTSA states the population has grown faster than the increase in fatal accidents involving older Americans. Fragile health, not an increased tendency to crash, accounts for 60 to 95 percent of the increase in fatality rates among older drivers.
What is the Main Cause of Car Accidents in the U.S.?
The same factors that contribute to teen accidents are also problems nationwide. The National Safety Council analyzed publicly available crash data and determined that the leading causes of fatal car accidents in the United States were as follows:
- Unsafe speed
- Careless driving
- Failure to yield
- Improper lane usage
NHTSA data reported over six million police-reported traffic crashes in one recent year, resulting in 42,939 deaths and 2.5 million injuries. Alcohol-impaired driving resulted in 13,384 deaths that year — an average of one death every 39 minutes. Speeding was another major factor, accounting for 29 percent of all traffic fatalities. Distracted driving contributed to 3,308 deaths in another recent year.
How Can Teens Avoid Car Accidents?
Here are some tips that teen drivers can follow to avoid car accidents:
- Learn and practice defensive driving techniques.
- Always wear your seatbelt, even on short trips.
- Obey all traffic laws and speed limits.
- Never use your phone to call or text while driving.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Limit the number of passengers in your car.
- Avoid driving at night.
- Adjust your driving to weather conditions.
- Never run red lights or stop signs.
- Always adjust your mirrors properly before you start driving.
Contact an Arizona Car Accident Lawyer
If you or your teen suffered injuries in a car crash that someone else caused, reach out to Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C.. Our Arizona car accident attorneys can review your case and explain your legal options. Depending on what happened, your family could pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, damaged property, and pain and suffering. Contact us today to discuss your car accident case in a consultation.
Visit Our Arizona Car Accident Law Offices
About the Author
Zachary Mushkatel discovered his affinity for the law by chance. As a political science major at the University of Arizona, he first aspired to become a professor. But an unexpected invitation to participate on a mock trial team at the university encouraged him to turn his competitive spirit and drive…
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